Pima Community College: PCC has been named a member of NASPA’s FirstGen Forward Network for 2024-25. The college was selected for its commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students.
Network members have the opportunity to engage with peer institutions, participating in monthly calls, professional development, goal setting, blog development, annual reporting and more in the first phase of the program.
In the second phase, members receive a framework of actionable priorities supported through monthly workshops; diagnostic tools; data sharing; expert coaches and more.
To date, 429 higher education institutions, including two statewide systems, have entered the network, representing 49 states and the District of Columbia.
R&A CPAs: R&A CPAs has been named a Top 500 Firm for 2024 by Inside Public Accounting. The annual ranking gathers surveys and analytical data from firms across the United States.
The R&A team, comprised of more than 60 accounting professionals, helps clients achieve their financial goals with strategic solutions that improve their tax position, mitigate financial risks and optimize accounting operations.
Arizona Multihousing Charitable Foundation: The Arizona Multihousing Charitable Foundation awarded more than $200,000 in grants to organizations seeking to create more affordable housing and safer communities across the state.
In Tucson, the foundation awarded $75,250 for the HSL Center of Opportunity and $29,140 to Interfaith Community Services.
The HSL Center of Opportunity was created in 2007 by Humberto Lopez to support causes related to education, health and welfare, including purchasing a local motel to provide holistic support for the homeless community.
Programs at Interfaith Community Services enable seniors and people with disabilities to stay safe and independent in their homes.
Copper Cactus 2024 finalists: Tucson businesses and nonprofits making an impact in the community have been named finalists in the Tucson Metro Chamber’s 27th annual Copper Cactus Awards. Here they are, broken down by category:
- Business growth: OOROO Auto; Regal Fierce Media; and Tomlinson Financial Group
- Diversity and inclusion champion: Arizona Luminaria; Snell & Wilmer; and Southwestern Fair Commission, Inc. — Pima County Fair
- Woman-owned businesses: Regal Fierce Media; Tucson Business Networking; and Let All Thrive Counseling
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona best place to work (three to 50 employees): Pima Dermatology; Riley Engineering; and Youth On Their Own
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona best place to work (51-300 employees): Higher Ground — A Resource Center; Rialto Theatre; Pima JTED; Children’s Clinics; and Contact One Call Center
- BIPOC-owned business: The Slanted Room Studios; Regal Fierce Media; and Berry Cultured
- Copperpoint small business leader of the year: Rancho Sahuarita’s Jeremy Sharpe; Vista Point Properties’ Bill Norris; and Let All Thrive Counseling’s Kathryn (Kat) Vaughan Robey
- Gibson employer/employee development: Skyline Assayers & Laboratories; AGM Container Controls; and Snell & Wilmer
- IT solutions innovation: Community Investment Corporation; US Air Tech; Health Information Management Systems; and Hughes Federal Credit Union
- Tech Parks Arizona startup of the year: US Air Tech; Macula Vision Systems; and Precision Epigenomics Inc.
- Tucson Metro Chamber Shirley Wilka Perseverance Award: The Erik Hite Foundation’s Nohemy Hite; University of Arizona Center for Innovation’s Anita Bell; and Rialto Theatre’s Mark Martinez
- Tucson Electric Power social impact (up to $2 million in revenue): Amistad Y Salud Clinica Amistad; Healing Arizona Veterans; Children’s Advocacy Center of Southern Arizona; and Cooper Center for Environmental Learning (Camp Cooper)
- Tucson Electric Power social impact (above $2 million in revenue): Tohono Chul; Earn to Learn; Arizona Youth Partnership; and Gospel Rescue Mission of Tucson
The winners will be named on Sept. 13 at Casino Del Sol. Tickets for the awards dinner are available through tucne.ws/1qjm for $175.
Katie Hobbs visited Pima Community College's downtown campus Monday to tour facilities and speak about workforce development programs.
